Gollan fears weather ahead of Ef Troop's return

Premier trainer Tony Gollan is upbeat about his prospects for the Brisbane winter carnival but a gloomy weather forecast has him worried ahead of Saturday’s Doomben meeting.

Gollan launches the Brisbane winter carnival campaigns of several runners in three of the four feature races.

He had considered running his best winter hope Zoustyle in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate but has reserved his star three-year-old for the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas on May 4.

Zoustyle stretched his unbeaten record to five when he claimed the Listed Gold Edition Stakes at Doomben at his last start in December.

Ef Troop will now spearhead Gollan’s three-pronged attack in the Mick Dittman Plate along with Vega One and Pizonie while I’m A Rippa and imported galloper Coldstone line-up in the Listed Ascot Handicap.

Queensland Oaks hopeful Light Up The Room will represent the stable in the Listed Princess Stakes.

Eagle Farm is currently rated good but Gollan said the weather forecast was for showers every day this week.

Gollan is hoping Ef Troop can turnaround a disappointing spring when he failed in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington in September and Listed Brian Crowley at Randwick the following month.

“He started off his last campaign with a great run at Doomben when he ran second after being trapped four wide but his Sydney and Melbourne form was well below his best,” he said.

“He’s got that X-factor about him when he’s at his best.”

Ef Troop hasn’t raced since finishing in front of one runner in the Brian Crowley, won by the Team Hawkes-trained Diplomatico.

“I’m really concerned about the weather with Ef Troop,” Gollan said.

“He’s going super and has been trialling really well.

“He’s won three jumpouts and his last one was in fast time three weeks ago when he wasn’t asked to do much.”

Gollan prefers a dry track for Ef Troop who is being aimed at the major winter three-year-old races.

“He looks terrific and has had a good solid build up,” Gollan said.

“I want to build his confidence back up. He was a very good two-year-old and I want to see him back in that form.

“I’m not sure what he’ll be set for in the winter at this stage as it depends what distance he gets to.